Drone light show to feature 200 drones

CATHEDRAL CITY — The 8th annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, named one of the best balloon festivals in the world by U.S. News & World Report, is about to get even more spectacular with the addition of a drone light show.

Grizzly Entertainment earlier this year offered the city a drone light show as a gift valued at $50,000. The 200-drone unit light show will take place at the Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The purpose of the donation from the company is for the benefit of the public’s entertainment and to enhance the quality of programming for the Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival.

The City Council officially accepted the donation at its regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

The drone show will be located above the 13.5 acres across from the Agua Caliente Casino in Cathedral City. This is the location where the city has had fireworks displayed in the past for previous events.

The city will use either citizens on patrol or police officers to control access into the area during rehearsal (Nov. 16-17), as well as the actual show on Friday, Nov. 18. The drones have minimal noise,
especially in comparison to fireworks, according to the staff report.

The show lasts 10 minutes and has been a popular addition at many events around the globe. Grizzly Entertainment will be responsible for receiving all permits and approvals from the Palm Springs International Airport, as this is in the flight path for airplanes landing or taking off at the airport.

With the city accepting the gift from Grizzly Entertainment in the amount of $50,000, there will be departmental in-kind costs both during rehearsals and the show.